AtRSp gene promoters

ABSTRACT

Promoter sequences capable of driving gene expression in plants are presented. The promoters are capable of driving constitutive expression of an associated nucleotide sequence encoding a protein that confers a phenotypic trait. The atRSp41 promoter and promoter fragments are described, and these promoters can be used to create transgenic plants expressing a gene or genes of interest at all times and in most tissues and organs.

This application is a national stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/EP01/03735, filed Apr. 2, 2001, which is incorporated herein by reference and which is entitled to the benefit of Great Britain Patent Application No. 0008120.8, filed Apr. 3, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to novel DNA sequences that function as promoters of transcription of associated nucleotide sequences in plants. More specifically, this invention relates to novel promoters that confer constitutive expression to an associated nucleotide sequence.

In the field of agriculture there exists a continuous desire to modify plants according to one's needs. One way to accomplish this is by using modern genetic engineering techniques. For example, by introducing a gene of interest into a plant, the plant can be specifically modified to express a desirable phenotypic trait. For this, plants are transformed most commonly with a heterologous gene comprising a promoter region, a coding region and a termination region. When genetically engineering a heterologous gene for expression in plants, the selection of a promoter is often a critical factor. While it may be desirable to express certain genes only in response to particular stimuli or confined to specific cells or tissues, other genes are more desirably expressed constitutively, i.e. throughout the plant at all times and in most tissues and organs. In the past, the 35S promoter from Cauliflower Mosaic Virus (CaMV 35S promoter) has been widely used for constitutive expression of heterologous genes in plants. There are, however, occasions where it is desirable to use alternative promoters. Therefore, it is a major objective of the present invention to provide such alternative promoters for expression of a nucleotide sequence of interest in plants. The invention also provides recombinant DNA molecules, expression vectors and transgenic plants comprising the promoters of the present invention.

The present invention thus provides:

a DNA sequence capable of driving expression of an associated nucleotide sequence,

wherein said DNA sequence is obtainable from genes of the atRSp gene family. Preferred is a DNA sequence which is obtainable from atRSp41 and comprises the nucleotide sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:1.

In particular, DNA sequences are provided, wherein

-   -   said DNA sequence comprises the nucleotide sequence depicted in         SEQ ID NO:2     -   said DNA sequence comprises the nucleotide sequence depicted in         SEQ ID NO:3     -   said DNA sequence comprises the nucleotide sequence depicted in         SEQ ID NO:4     -   said DNA sequence comprises the nucleotide sequence depicted in         SEQ ID NO:5

The invention further provides DNA sequences comprising a consecutive stretch of at least about 85 bases, preferably of between about 300 bases and about 500 bases, more preferably of between about 800 bases and about 1000 bases and most preferably of about 1500 bases in length of SEQ ID NO:1, wherein said DNA sequences are capable of driving expression of an associated nucleotide sequence.

In a particular embodiment of the invention said consecutive stretch of at least about 85 bases, preferably of between about 300 bases and about 500 bases, more preferably of between about 800 bases and about 1000 bases and most preferably of about 1500 bases in length has at least 75%, preferably 80%, more preferably 90% and most preferably 95% sequence identity with a corresponding consecutive stretch of at least about 85 bases, preferably of between about 300 bases and about 500 bases, more preferably of between about 800 bases and about 1000 bases and most preferably of about 1500 bases in length of SEQ ID NO:1.

The invention further provides recormbinant DNA molecules comprising an atRSp41 promoter. In addition, the invention provides recombinant DNA molecules and DNA expression cassettes comprising a DNA sequence according to the invention operatively linked to a nucleotide sequence of interest, including vector molecules comprising said recombinant DNA and expression cassettes, respectively.

In particular, recombinant DNA molecules and DNA expression cassettes are provided wherein the nucleotide sequence of interest comprises a coding sequence and wherein

-   -   the coding sequence encodes a desirable phenotypic trait     -   the coding sequence encodes a selectable or screenable marker         gene     -   the coding sequence encodes a protein conferring antibiotic         resistance, virus resistance, insect resistance, disease         resistance, or resistance to other pests, herbicide tolerance,         improved nutritional value, improved performance in an         industrial process or altered reproductive capability     -   the coding sequence encodes commercially valuable enzymes or         metabolites in the plant     -   the coding sequence is in antisense orientation

The invention further provides host cells stably transformed with a DNA sequence, a recombinant DNA molecule or a DNA expression vector according to the invention. In particular, wherein

-   -   the host cell is a bacterium     -   the host cell is a plant cell     -   the host cell is a plant cell selected from the group consisting         of rice, maize, wheat, barley, rye, sweet potato, sweet corn,         bean, pea, chicory, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli,         turnip, radish, spinach, asparagus, onion, garlic, pepper,         celery, squash, pumpkin, hemp, zucchini, apple, pear, quince,         melon, plum, cherry, peach, nectarine, apricot, strawberry,         grape, raspberry, blackberry, pineapple, avocado, papaya, mango,         banana, soybean, tomato, sorghum, sugarcane, sugar-beet,         sunflower, rapeseed, clover, tobacco, carrot, cotton, alfalfa,         potato, eggplant, cucumber, Arabidopsis thaliana, and woody         plants such as coniferous and deciduous trees, but particularly         rice, maize, wheat, barley, cabbage, cauliflower, pepper,         squash, melon, soybean, tomato, sugar-beet, sunflower or cotton,         rice, maize, wheat, Sorghum bicolor, orchardgrass, sugar beet         and soybean cells     -   the host cell is a plant cell from a dicotyledonous plant     -   the host cell is a plant cell from a dicotyledonous plant         selected from the group consisting of soybean, cotton tobacco,         sugar beet and oilseed rape     -   the host cell is a plant cell from a monocotyledonous plant     -   the host cell is a plant cell from a monocotyledonous plant         selected from the group consisting of maize, wheat, sorghum,         rye, oats, turf grass, rice, and barley.

In addition, plants and the progeny thereof including seeds are provided stably transformed with a DNA sequence, a recombinant DNA molecule or a DNA expression vector according to the invention. In particular, wherein

-   -   the plant is selected from the group consisting of rice, maize,         wheat, barley, rye, sweet potato, sweet corn, bean, pea,         chicory, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, turnip,         radish, spinach, asparagus, onion, garlic, pepper, celery,         squash, pumpkin, hemp, zucchini, apple, pear, quince, melon,         plum, cherry, peach, nectarine, apricot, strawberry, grape,         raspberry, blackberry, pineapple, avocado, papaya, mango,         banana, soybean, tomato, sorghum, sugarcane, sugar-beet,         sunflower, rapeseed, clover, tobacco, carrot, cotton, alfalfa,         potato, eggplant, cucumber, Arabidopsis thaliana, and woody         plants such as coniferous and deciduous trees, but particularly         rice, maize, wheat, barley, cabbage, cauliflower, pepper,         squash, melon, soybean, tomato, sugar-beet, sunflower or cotton,         rice, maize, wheat, Sorghum bicolor, orchardgrass, sugar beet         and soybean.

The present invention further discloses

-   -   the use of the DNA sequence according to the invention to         express a nucleotide sequence of interest     -   a method of producing a DNA sequence according to the invention,         wherein the DNA is produced by a polymerase chain reaction         wherein at least one oligonucleotide used comprises a sequence         of nucleotides which represents a consecutive stretch of 15 or         more base pairs of SEQ ID NO:1.

In order to ensure a clear and consistent understanding of the specification and the claims, the following definitions are provided:

-   atRSP: stands for Arabidopsis thaliana arginine/serine-type plant     splicing factor. -   DNA shuffling: DNA shuffling is a method to rapidly, easily and     efficiently introduce rearrangements, preferably randomly, in a DNA     molecule or to generate exchanges of DNA sequences between two or     more DNA molecules, preferably randomly. The DNA molecule resulting     from DNA shuffling is a shuffled DNA molecule that is a     non-naturally occurring DNA molecule derived from at least one     template DNA molecule. -   Expression: refers to the transcription and/or translation of an     endogenous gene or a transgene in plants. In the case of antisense     constructs, for example, expression may refer to the transcription     of the antisense DNA only. -   Functionally equivalent sequence: refers to a DNA sequence which has     promoter activity substantially similar to any of the atRSp     promoters or parts thereof, but particularly to the atRSp41 promoter     and which under stringent hybridizing conditions hybridizes with the     said promoter sequences. -   Gene: refers to a coding sequence and associated regulatory sequence     wherein the coding sequence is transcribed into RNA such as mRNA,     rRNA, tRNA, snRNA, sense RNA or antisense RNA. Examples of     regulatory sequences are promoter sequences, 5′- and 3′-untranslated     sequences and termination sequences. Further elements that may be     present are, for example, introns. -   Gene of interest: refers to any gene which, when transferred to a     plant, confers upon the plant a desired characteristic such as     antibiotic resistance, virus-resistance, insect resistance, disease     resistance, or resistance to other pests, herbicide tolerance,     improved nutritional value, improved performance in an industrial     process or altered reproductive capability. The “gene of interest”     may also be one that is transferred to plants for the production of     commercially valuable enzymes or metabolites in the plant. -   Heterologous as used herein means of different natural or of     synthetic origin. For example, if a host cell is transformed with a     nucleic acid sequence that does not occur in the untransformed host     cell, that nutleic acid sequence is said to be heterologous with     respect to the host cell. The transforming nucleic acid may comprise     a heterologous promoter, heterologous coding sequence, or     heterologous termination sequence. Alternatively, the transforming     nucleic acid may be completely heterologous or may comprise any     possible combination of heterologous and endogenous nucleic acid     sequences. -   Marker gene: refers to a gene encoding a selectable or screenable     trait. -   Operatively linked to/associated with: a regulatory DNA sequence is     said to be “operatively linked to” or “associated with” a DNA     sequence that codes for an RNA or a protein if the two sequences are     situated such that the regulatory DNA sequence affects expression of     the coding DNA sequence. -   Plant: refers to any plant, particularly to seed plants. -   Plant cell: structural and physiological unit of the plant,     comprising a protoplast and a cell wall. The plant cell may be in     form of an isolated single cell or a cultured cell, or as a part of     higher organized unit such as, for example, a plant tissue, or a     plant organ. -   Plant material: refers to leaves, stems, roots, flowers or flower     parts, fruits, pollen, pollen tubes, ovules, embryo sacs, egg cells,     zygotes, embryos, seeds, cuttings, cell or tissue cultures, or any     other part or product of a plant. -   Promoter: refers to a DNA sequence that initiates transcription of     an associated DNA sequence. The promoter region may also include     elements that act as regulators of gene expression such as     activators, enhancers, and/or repressors and may include all or part     of the 5′-untranslated region. -   Recombinant DNA molecule: a combination of DNA sequences that are     joined together using recombinant DNA technology. -   Recombinant DNA technology: procedures used to join together DNA     sequences as described, for example, in Sambrook et al., 1989, Cold     Spring Harbor, N.Y.: Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press. -   Screenable marker gene: refers to a gene whose expression does not     confer a selective advantage to a transformed cell, but whose     expression makes the transformed cell phenotypically distinct from     untransformed cells. -   Selectable marker gene: refers to a gene whose expression in a plant     cell gives the cell a selective advantage. The selective advantage     possessed by the cells transformed with the selectable marker gene     may be due to their ability to grow in the presence of a negative     selective agent, such as an antibiotic or a herbicide, compared to     the growth of non-transformed cells. The selective advantage     possessed by the transformed cells, compared to non-tranformed     cells, may also be due to their enhanced or novel capacity to     utilize an added compound as a nutrient, growth factor or energy     source. Selectable marker gene also refers to a gene or a     combination of genes whose expression in a plant cell in the     presence of the selective agent, compared to the absence of the     selective agent, has a positive effect on the transformed plant cell     and a negative effect on the un-transformed plant cell, for example     with respect to growth, and thus gives the transformed plant cell a     positive selective advantage. -   Sequence identity: the percentage of sequence identity is determined     using computer programs that are based on dynamic programming     algorithms. Computer programs that are preferred within the scope of     the present invention include the BLAST (Basic Local Alignment     Search Tool) search programs designed to explore all of the     available sequence databases regardless of whether the query is     protein or DNA. Version BLAST 2.0(Gapped BLAST) of this search tool     has been made publicly available on the Internet. It uses a     heuristic algorithm, which seeks local as opposed to global     alignments and is therefore able to detect relationships among     sequences, which share only isolated regions. The scores assigned in     a BLAST search have a well-defined statistical interpretation. Said     programs are preferably run with optional parameters set to the     default values. -   Transformation: refers to the introduction of a nucleic acid into a     cell. In particular, it refers to the stable integration of a DNA     molecule into the genome of an organism of interest -   5′-untranslated region: sequence in the DNA upstream of the coding     region that is transcribed into RNA, but not translated into     protein; corresponds to the region between the 5′-end of the RNA and     the start codon.

The present invention relates to DNA sequences obtainable from genes of the atRSp gene family such as atRSp41. ‘atRSp’ stands for Arabidopsis thaliana arginine/serine-type plant splicing factor, and the two-digit number following ‘atRSp’ refers to the molecular mass of the putative protein encoded by the corresponding gene. Preferred is a DNA sequence which is obtainable from the atRSp41 gene of Arabidopsis thaliana which is capable of driving expression of an associated nucleotide sequence of interest. DNA sequences comprising functional and/or structural equivalents thereof are also embraced by the invention. The present invention thus relates to DNA sequences that function as promoters of transcription of associated nucleotide sequences. The promoter region may also include elements that act as regulators of gene expression such as activators, enhancers, and/or repressors and may include the 5′-untranslated region.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said DNA sequence confers constitutive expression to an associated nucleotide sequence. Constitutive expression means that the nucleotide sequence of interest is expressed at all times and in most tissues and organs. When tested in association with a GUS reporter gene in transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana, the DNA sequence according to the invention confers expression of the GUS reporter gene in all or most of the following organs and tissues: leaves, roots, flowers, flower buds, veins, trichomes, hydathodes, sepals, anthers, filaments, pollen, stigma, style, root meristem, root elongation zone, root specialization zone and lateral root primordium. When tested in 3-day-old transgenic Arabidopsis thaliana seedlings, expression of the GUS reporter gene is predominantly detected in the cotyledons, in the roots and in the root and shoot meristems. Quantitative analysis of GUS expression in Arabidopsis plants shows that the promoters of the invention confer a high level constitutive expression to the GUS reporter gene. Thus, the DNA sequence according to the invention is useful for high level expression of an associated nucleotide sequence of interest, which preferably is a coding sequence. It is known to the skilled artisan that the associated coding sequence of interest can be expressed in sense or in antisense orientation. Further, the coding sequence of interest may be of heterologous or homologous origin with respect to the plant to be transformed. In case of a homologous coding sequence, the DNA sequence according to the invention is useful for ectopic expression of said sequence. In one particular embodiment of the invention expression of the coding sequence of interest under control of a DNA sequence according to the invention suppresses its own expression and that of the original copy of the gene by a process called cosuppression.

One preferred embodiment of the invention is the DNA sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:1, called the atRSp41 (2327) promoter. SEQ ID NO:1 is identical to a region of the sequenced Arabidopsis thaliana chromosome 5, P1 clone: MSG15 (GenBank accession number AB015478). The inventors are the first to demonstrate that SEQ ID NO:1 has promoter activity and belongs to the atRSp41 gene. The atRSp41 (2327) promoter contains 1598 bp of 5′-upstream sequence and 729 bp of 5′-untranslated sequence of the atRSp41 gene. This DNA sequence is obtainable by PCR with genomic DNA from Arabidopsis thaliana using forward primer 1 (SEQ ID NO:6) with a HindIII restriction site and reverse primer 1 (SEQ ID NO:7) containing a BamHI restriction site. The putative TATA box of the atRSp41 (2327) promoter is located at bases 1551 to 1556 of SEQ ID NO:1, and the start of transcription is at base 1599 of SEQ ID NO:1. The region extending from base 1599 through 2327 is the so-called 5′-untranslated region (5′-UTR) of the atRSp41 gene which is transcribed but not translated into protein. It is known to the skilled artisan that 5′-untranslated regions can contain regulatory elements with important functions in gene expression. The 5′-UTR of the atRSp41 gene contains a long intron extending from base 1681 through 2322 of SEQ ID NO:1.

The DNA sequences of the invention can be obtained, for example, by PCR with genomic DNA from Arabidopsis thaliana or from any other plant species comprising homologues of the DNA sequence of the invention using sequence specific primers. It is apparent to the skilled artisan that, based on the sequence shown in SEQ ID NO:1, any primer combination of interest can be chosen to PCR amplify shorter DNA that can be used according to the invention. The invention thus includes shorter fragments derived from the atRSp41 promoter that function according to the invention i.e. are capable of conferring expression of an associated nucleotide sequence. This can be tested by making deletions in the promoter and then assaying for retention of promoter activity. Such assays are within the skill of the ordinary artisan. Shorter DNA fragments are of at least about 85 bases, preferably of between about 300 bases and about 500 bases, more preferably of between about 800 bases and about 1000 bases and most preferably of about 1500 bases in length.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is the DNA sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:2, called the atRSp41 (2137) promoter. This DNA sequence contains 1408 bp of 5′-upstream sequence and 729 bp of 5′-untranslated sequence of the atRSp41 gene. This 2137 bp long DNA fragment can be obtained, for example, by partial restriction of the DNA sequence obtained by PCR amplification of genomic DNA with forward primer 1 and reverse primer 1 (see above) with the restriction endonucleases HindIII and BamHI. The 2327 bp PCR fragment obtained by amplification with forward primer 1 and reverse primer 1 contains 2 internal HindIII restriction sites, one at base 191 and the other one at base 1618 of SEQ ID NO:1. The first one, at base 191 of SEQ ID NO:1, is used for cloning, the second one at base 1618 of SEQ ID NO:1 remains intact during partial restriction with HindIII. The resulting 2137 bp HindIII/BamHI atRSp41 fragment (SEQ ID NO:2) then can be used according to the invention.

A further preferred embodiment of the invention is the atRSp41 (1408 promoter, the sequence of which is depicted in SEQ ID NO:3. The atRSp41 (1408) promoter contains 1408 bp of 5′-upstream sequence of the atRSp41 gene.

Yet another preferred embodiment of the invention is the atRSp41 (1000) promoter depicted in SEQ ID NO:4. This DNA sequence is obtainable by PCR with genomic DNA from Arabidopsis thaliana using forward primer 2(SEQ ID NO:8) with a SaII restriction site and reverse primer 1 (SEQ ID NO:7) containing a BamHI restriction site. The atRSp41 (1000) promoter consists of 271 bp of 5′-upstream sequence and 729 bp of 5′-untranslated sequence (5′-UTR) of the atRSp41 gene.

Another preferred embodiment of the invention is the sequence depicted in SEQ ID NO:5 containing 729 bp of 5′-untranslated sequence (5′-UTR) of the atRSp41 gene. The 5′-UTR contains a 642 bp intron located at base 83 to base 724 of SEQ ID NO:5. This DNA fragment can be used in combination with homologous or heterologous promoter fragments to regulate expression of an associated nucleotide sequence.

It is clear to the skilled artisan that mutations, insertions, deletions and/or substitutions of one or more nucleotides can be introduced into the DNA sequence of SEQ ID NO:1 or shorter fragments thereof, including the fragments provided in SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:5, using methods known in the art. In addition, an unmodified or modified nucleotide sequence of the present invention can be varied by shuffling the sequence of the invention. To test for a function of variant DNA sequences according to the invention, the sequence of interest is operably linked to a selectable or screenable marker gene and expression of the reporter gene is tested in transient expression assays with protoplasts or in stably transformed plants. It is known to the skilled artisan that DNA sequences capable of driving expression of an associated nucleotide sequence are build in a modular way. Accordingly, expression levels from shorter DNA fragments may be different than the one from the longest fragment and may be different from each other. For example, deletion of a down-regulating upstream element will lead to an increase in the expression levels of the associated nucleotide sequence while deletion of an up-regulating element will decrease the expression levels of the associated nucleotide sequence. It is also known to the skilled artisan that deletion of development-specific or a tissue-specific element will lead to a temporally or spatially altered expression profile of the associated nucleotide sequence. Embraced by the present invention are also functional equivalents of the promoters of the present invention, i.e. nucleotide sequences that hybridize under stringent conditions to any one of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:5. A stringent hybridization is performed at a temperature of 65° C., preferably 60° C. and most preferably 55° C. in double strength (2×) citrate buffered saline (SSC) containing 0.1% SDS followed by rinsing of the support at the same temperature but with a buffer having a reduced SSC concentration. Such reduced concentration buffers are typically one tenth strength SSC (0.1×SSC) containing 0.1% SDS, preferably 0.2×SSC containing 0.1% SSC and most preferably half strength SSC (0.5×SSC) containing 0.1% SDS. In fact, functional equivalents of the atRSp41 promoters from other organisms can be found by hybridizing any one of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:5 with genomic DNA isolated from an organism of interest. The skilled artisan knows how to proceed to find such sequences as there are many ways known in the art to identify homologous sequences in other organisms. Such newly identified DNA molecules then can be sequenced and the sequence can be compared to any one of SEQ ID NO:1, SEQ ID NO:2, SEQ ID NO:3, SEQ ID NO:4 or SEQ ID NO:5 and tested for promoter activity. Within the scope of the present invention are DNA molecules having at least 75%, preferably 80%, more preferably 90%, and most preferably 95% sequence identity to the nucleotide sequence of any one of SEQ ID Nos:1, 2, 3, 4 or 5. The percentage of sequence identity is determined using computer programs that are based on dynamic programming algorithms. Computer programs that are preferred within the scope of the present invention include the BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) search programs designed to explore all of the available sequence databases regardless of whether the query is protein or DNA. Version BLAST 2.0 (Gapped BLAST) of this search tool has been made publicly available on the Internet. It uses a heuristic algorithm which seeks local as opposed to global alignments and is therefore defined statistical interpretation. Said programs are preferably run with optional parameters set to the default values.

It is another object of the present invention to provide recombinant DNA molecules comprising a DNA sequence according to the invention operably linked to a nucleotide sequence of interest. The nucleotide sequence of interest can, for example, code for a ribosomal RNA, an antisense RNA or any other type of RNA that is not translated into protein. In another preferred embodiment of the invention the nucleotide sequence of interest is translated into a protein product. The nucleotide sequence associated with the promoter sequence may be of homologous or heterologous origin with respect to the plant to be transformed. The sequence may also be entirely or partially synthetic. Regardless of the origin, the associated DNA sequence will be expressed in the transformed plant in accordance with the expression properties of the promoter to which it is linked. In case of homologous nucleotide sequences associated with the promoter sequence, the promoter according to the invention is useful for ectopic expression of said homologous sequences. Ectopic expression means that the nucleotide sequence associated with the promoter sequence is expressed in tissues and organs and/or at times where said sequence may not be expressed under control of its own promoter. In one particular embodiment of the invention, expression of nucleotide sequence associated with the promoter sequence suppresses its own expression and that of the original copy of the gene by a process called cosuppression.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the associated nucleotide sequence may code for a protein that is desired to be expressed throughout the plant at all times and in most tissues and organs. Such nucleotide sequences preferably encode proteins conferring a desirable phenotypic trait to the plant transformed therewith. Examples are nucleotide sequences encoding proteins conferring antibiotic resistance, virus resistance, insect resistance, disease resistance, or resistance to other pests, herbicide tolerance, improved nutritional value, improved performance in an industrial process or altered reproductive capability. The associated nucleotide sequence may also be one that is transferred to plants for the production of commercially valuable enzymes or metabolites in the plant. Embraced by the present invention are also selectable or screenable marker genes, i.e. genes comprising a DNA sequence of the invention operably linked to a coding region encoding a selectable or screenable trait.

Examples of selectable or screenable marker genes are described below. For certain target species, different antibiotic or herbicide selection markers may be preferred. Selection markers used routinely in transformation include the nptll gene which confers resistance to kanamycin, paromomycin, geneticin and related antibiotics (Vieira and Messing, 1982, Gene 19: 259-268; Bevan et al., 1983, Nature 304:184-187) the bacterial aadA gene (Goldschmidt-Clermont, 1991, Nucl. Acids Res. 19: 4083-4089), encoding aminoglycoside 3′-adenytyltransferase and conferring resistance to streptomycin or spectinomycin, the hph gene which confers resistance to the antibiotic hygromycin (Blochlinger and Diggelmann, 1984, Mol. Cell. Biol. 4: 2929-2931), and the dhfr gene, which confers resistance to methotrexate (Bourouis and Jarry, 1983, EMBO J. 2: 1099-1104). Other markers to be used include a phosphinothricin acetyltransferase gene, which confers resistance to the herbicide phosphinothricin (White et al., 1990, Nucl. Acids Res. 18: 1062; Spencer et al. 1990, Theor. Appl. Genet. 79: 625-631), a mutant EPSP synthase gene encoding glyphosate resistance (Hinchee et al., 1988, Bio/Technology 6: 915-922), a mutant acetolactate synthase (ALS) gene which confers imidazolione or sulfonylurea resistance (Lee et al., 1988, EMBO J. 7: 1241-1248), a mutant psbA gene conferring resistance to atrazine (Smeda et al., 1993, Plant Physiol. 103: 911-917), or a mutant protoporphyrinogen oxidase gene as described in EP 0 769 059. Selection markers resulting in positive selection, such as a phosphomannose isomerase gene, as described in patent application WO 93/05163, are also used. Identification of transformed cells may also be accomplished through expression of screenable marker genes such as genes coding for chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT), β-glucuronidase (GUS), luciferase (LUC), and green fluorescent protein (GFP) or any other protein that confers a phenotypically distinct trait to the transformed cell.

It is a further objective of the invention to provide recombinant expression vectors comprising a DNA sequence of the invention fused to an associated nucleotide sequence of interest. In these vectors, foreign DNA can be inserted into a polylinker region such that these exogenous sequences can be expressed in a suited host cell which may be, for example, of bacterial or plant origin. For example, the plasmid pBI101 derived from the Agrobacterium tumefaciens binary vector pBIN19 allows cloning and testing of promoters using β-glucuronidase (GUS) expression signal (Jefferson et al, 1987, EMBO J 6: 3901-3907). The size of the vector is 12.2 kb. It has a low-copy RK2 origin of replication and confers kanamycine resistance in both bacteria and plants. There are numerous other expression vectors known to the person skilled in the art that can be used according to the invention. It is a further objective of the present invention to provide transgenic plants comprising the recombinant DNA sequences of the invention. The invention thus relates to plant cells, to plants derived from such cells, to plant material, to the progeny and to seeds derived from such plants, and to agricultural products with improved properties obtained by any one of the transformation methods described below. Plants transformed in accordance with the present invention may be monocots or dicots and include, but are not limited to, rice, maize, wheat, barley, rye, sweet potato, sweet corn, bean, pea, chicory, lettuce, cabbage, cauliflower, broccoli, turnip, radish, spinach, asparagus, onion, garlic, pepper, celery, squash, pumpkin, hemp, zucchini, apple, pear, quince, melon, plum, cherry, peach, nectarine, apricot, strawberry, grape, raspberry, blackberry, pineapple, avocado, papaya, mango, banana, soybean, tomato, sorghum, sugarcane, sugar-beet, sunflower, rapeseed, clover, tobacco, carrot, cotton, alfalfa, potato, eggplant, cucumber, Arabidopsis thalaiana, and woody plants such as coniferous and deciduous trees. Preferred plants to be transformed are rice, maize, wheat, barley, cabbage, cauliflower, pepper, squash, melon, soybean, tomato, sugar-beet, sunflower or cotton, but especially rice, maize, wheat, Sorghum bicolor, orchardgrass, sugar beet or soybean. The recombinant DNA sequences of the invention can be introduced into the plant cell by a number of well-known methods. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the choice of such method might depend on the type of plant which is targeted for transformation, i.e., monocot or dicot. Suitable methods of transforming plant cells include microinjection (Crossway et al., 1986, Bio Techniques 4:320-334), electroporation (Riggs and Bates, 1986, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci., USA 83:5602-5606), Agrobacterium-mediated transformation (Hinchee et al., 1988, Bio/Technology 6:915-922; EP 0 853 675), direct gene transfer (Paszkowski et al., 1984, EMBO J. 3:2717-2722), and ballistic particle acceleration using devices available from Agracetus, Inc., Madison, Wis. and Dupont, Inc., Wilmington, Del. (see, for example, U.S Pat. No. 4,945,050 and McCabe et al., 1988, Bio/Technology 6:923-926). The cells to be transformed may be differentiated leaf cells, embryogenic cells, or any other type of cell.

In the direct transformation of protoplasts, the uptake of exogenous genetic material into a protoplast may be enhanced by the use of a chemical agent or an electric field. The exogenous material may then be integrated into the nuclear genome. The previous work is conducted in dicot tobacco plants, which resulted in the foreign DNA being incorporated and transferred to progeny plants (Paszkowski et al., 1984, EMBO J. 3:2712-2722; Potrykus et al., 1985, Mol. Gen. Genet 199:169-177). Monocot protoplasts, for example, of Triticum monococcum, Lolium multiflorum (Italian rye grass), maize, and Black Mexican sweet corn, are transformed by this procedure. An additional preferred embodiment is the protoplast transformation method for maize as disclosed in EP 0 292 435, as well as in EP 0 846 771. For maize transformation also see Koziel et al., 1993, Bio/Technology 11:194-200. Transformation of rice can be carried out by direct gene transfer techniques utilizing protoplasts or particle bombardment. Protoplast-mediated transformation is described for Japonica-types and Indica-types (Zhang et al., 1988, Plant Cell Rep., 7:379-384; Shimamoto et al., 1989, Nature 338:274-276; Datta et al., 1990, Bio/Technology 8:736-740). Above both types are also routinely transformable using the particle bombardment (Christou et al., 1991, Bio/Technology 9:957-962). Patent application No. EP 0 332 581 describes techniques for the generation, transformation and regeneration of Pooideae protoplasts. These techniques allow the transformation of all Pooideae plants including Dactylis and wheat. Futhermore, wheat transformation is described in patent application No. EP 0 674 715; and by Weeks et al., 1993(Plant Physiol 102:1077-1084).

The thus-constructed plant expression vector can, for example, be introduced into the calli of rice according to the conventional plant transformation method, and the differentiation of roots and leaves is induced therefrom, and then, can be transferred to a flowerpot for cultivation, thereby obtaining the transformed rice.

The plants resulting from transformation with the DNA sequences or vectors of the present invention will express a nucleotide sequence of interest throughout the plant and in most tissues and organs.

The genetic properties engineered into the transgenic plants described above are passed on by sexual reproduction or vegetative growth and can thus be maintained and propagated in progeny plants. Generally said maintenance and propagation make use of known agricultural methods developed to fit specific purposes such as tilling, sowing or harvesting. Specialized processes such as hydroponics or greenhouse technologies can also be applied. Use of the advantageous genetic properties of the transgenic plants according to the invention can further be made in plant breeding that aims at the development of plants with improved properties such as tolerance of pests, herbicides, or stress, improved nutritional value, increased yield, or improved structure causing less loss from lodging or shattering. The various breeding steps are characterized by well-defined human intervention such as selecting the lines to be crossed, directing pollination of the parental lines, or selecting approprate progeny plants. Depending on the desired properties different breeding measures are taken. The relevant techniques are well known in the art and include but are not limited to hybridization, inbreeding, backcross breeding, multiline breeding, variety blend, interspecific hybridization, aneuploid techniques, etc. Hybridization techniques also include the sterilization of plants to yield male or female sterile plants by mechanical, chemical or biochemical means. Cross pollination of a male sterile plant with pollen of a different line assures that the genome of the male sterile but female fertile plant will uniformly obtain properties of both parental lines. Thus, the transgenic plants according to the invention can be used for the breeding of improved plant lines that for example increase the effectiveness of conventional methods such as herbicide or pesticide treatment or allow to dispense with said methods due to their modified genetic properties. Alternatively new crops with improved stress tolerance can be obtained that, due to their optimized genetic “equipment”, yield harvested product of better quality than products that were not able to tolerate comparable adverse developmental conditions.

It is another objective of the present invention to provide DNA sequences that can be used to express a nucleotide of interest in a desired organism. This organism can be a bacterium, a plant or any other organism of interest.

Furthermore, the disclosure of SEQ ID NO:1 enables a person skilled in the art to design oligonucleotides for polymerase chain reactions which attempt to amplify DNA fragments from templates comprising a sequence of nucleotides characterized by any continuous sequence of 15 and preferably 20 to 30 or more base pairs in SEQ ID NO:1. Said nucleotides comprise a sequence of nucleotides which represents 15 and preferably 20 to 30 or more base pairs of SEQ ID NO:1. Polymerase chain reactions performed using at least one such oligonucleotide and their amplification products constitute another embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEQUENCES IN THE SEQUENCE LISTING SEQ ID NO:1 atRSp41(2327) promoter SEQ ID NO:2 atRSp41(2137) promoter SEQ ID NO:3 atRSp41(1408) promoter SEQ ID NO:4 atRSp41(1000) promoter SEQ ID NO:5 atRSp41 5′-UTR SEQ ID NO:6 forward primer 1 SEQ ID NO:7 reverse primer 1 SEQ ID NO:8 forward primer 2

EXAMPLES

Standard recombinant DNA and molecular cloning techniques used here are well known in the art and are described, for example, by Sambrook et al., 1989, “Molecular Cloning”, Cold Spring Harbor, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, NY and by Ausubel et al. ,1994, “Current protocols in molecular biology”, John Wiley and Sons, New York.

Example 1 Construction of atRSp41 Promoters

Genomic DNA from Arabidopsis thaliana is isolated from green parts of 3-week-old Arabidopsis plants according to the method of Soni and Murray (1994) Analytical Biochemistry 218, 474-476. A 2327 bp long fragment (SEQ ID NO:1) of the atRSp41 promoter is obtained by PCR with genomic DNA from Arabidopsis thaliana using forward primer 1 (5′-aatAAGCTTgaattagcattgtgttg-3′, SEQ ID NO:6) with a HindIII restriction site and reverse primer 1-(5′-aatGGATCCgattcctacaaaatagac-3′SEQ ID NO:7) containing a BamHI restriction site. The restriction sites are indicated in capital letters. The fragment is amplified in 100 μl reaction volume containing 100 pM of each forward and reverse primer, 62 μM of each dNTP, 10 μl of Taq polymerase reaction buffer (Gibco), 500 ng of total genomic DNA from Arabidopsis, and 2 units of Taq polymerase (Gibco) using the following thermal program: 1×(95° C., 2min); 36×(95° C. for 30 sec., 55° C. for 60 sec., 72° C. for 60sec.) and 1×(72° C. for 5 min).

The 2327 bp PCR fragment contains 2 internal HindIII restriction sites, one at base 191 and the other one at base 1618 of SEQ ID NO:1. The first one, at base 191 of SEQ ID NO:1, is used for cloning, the second one at base 1618 of SEQ ID NO:1 remains intact during partial restriction with HindIII. The resulting 2137 bp HindIII/BamHI atRSp41 fragment (SEQ ID NO:2) is ligated into the HindIII/BamHI polylinker cloning site of the vector pBI101 (Clontech) so that the ligated fragment can drive the β-glucuronidase (GUS) coding sequence linked to the NOS 3′-termination signal (Jefferson et al, 1987, EMBO J 6: 3901-3907). The resulting plasmid is called p41I. The promoter-reporter gene construct comprised in p41I is called atRSp41 (2137)-GUS. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned DNA fragment is determined by DNA sequencing using standard procedures known in the art.

The 2137 bp HindIII/BamHI atRSp41 fragment contains 1408 bp of 5′-upstream sequence (SEQ ID NO:3) and 729 bp of 5′-untranslated sequence (SEQ ID NO:5). The 5′-untranslated sequence contains a 642 bp intron from base 1681 to base 2322 of SEQ ID NO:1.

The parent plasmid pBI101 is derived from the Agrobacterium tumefaciens binary vector pBIN19 and allows cloning and testing of promoters using β-glucuronidase (GUS) expression. The size of the vector is 12.2 kb. It has a low-copy RK2 origin of replication and confers kanamycine resistance in both bacteria and plants.

The atRSp41 (1000) promoter (SEQ ID NO:4) is obtained by PCR with genomic DNA from Arabidopsis thaliana using forward primer 2 (5′-aaatGTCGACaaagaatctaaatgagtac-3′, SEQ ID NO:8) containing a Sall restriction site and reverse primer 1 (5′-aatGGATCCgattcctacaaaatagac-3′, SEQ ID NO:7) with a BamHI restriction site. The restriction sites are indicated in capital letters. The fragment is amplified in 100 μl reaction volume containing 100 pM of each forward and reverse primer, 62 μM of each dNTP, 10 μl of Taq polymerase reaction buffer (Gibco), 500 ng of total genomic DNA from Arabidopsis, and 2 units of Taq polymerase (Gibco) using the following thermal program: 1×(95° C., 2 min); 36×(95° C. for 30 sec., 55° C. for 60 sec., 72° C. for 60 sec.) and 1×(72° C. for 5 min). The resulting PCR fragment is cut with SaII and BAMHI and ligated into the SaII/BAMHI polylinker cloning site of the vector pBI101 (Clontech) so that the ligated fragment can drive β-glucuronidase (GUS) coding sequence, which is linked to the NOS 3′-termination signal (Jefferson et al., 1987, EMBO J, 6: 3901-3907). The promoter-reporter gene construct comprised in this plasmid is termed atRSp(1000)-GUS. The nucleotide sequence of the cloned DNA fragment is determined by standard DNA sequencing techniques.

Example 2 Preparation of Solutions and Media for Plant Regeneration and Transformation

Culture media GM, CIM and SIM are the media described by Valvekens et al. (1988, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA. 85: 5536-5540).

Culture medium GM contains the mineral salts of Murashige and Skoog (1962, Physiol. Plant. 15:473-497), 1.0 mg/l thiamine (stock 1 mg/ml), 0.5 mg/l pyridoxine,HCl (stock 1 mg/ml), 0.5 mg/l nicotinic acid (stock 1 mg/ml), 0.5 g/l 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES), 10 g/l sucrose, 8 g/l agar, with the pH adjusted to 5.8 with 1N KOH. CIM contains the mineral salts and vitamins of B5 medium (Gamborg et al., 1968, Exp. Cell Res. 50:151-158), 0.5 g/l 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES), 20 g/l glucose, 0.5 mg/l 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) (stock 10 mg/ml in DMSO), 0.05 mg/l kinetin (stock 5 mg/ml in DMSO), pH 5.8. Solid CIM medium contains 8 g/l agar. SIM contains the mineral salts and vitamins of B5 medium (Gamborg et al., 1968, supra), 0.5 g/l 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES), 20 g/l glucose, 5 mg/l N6-(2-isopeintrenyl)adenine (2iP) (stock 20 mg/ml in DMSO), 0.15 mg/l indole-3-acetic-acid (IAA) (stock 1.5 mg/ml in DMSO), 8 g/l agar, pH 5.8. SIM V750 K100 is SIM medium supplemented with 750 mg/l vancomycin and 100 mg/l kanamycin. SIM V500 K100 is SIM medium supplemented with 500 mg/l vancomycin and 100 mg/lI kanamycin. GM K50 is GM medium supplemented with 50 mg/l kanamycin.

The culture media are all sterilized by autoclaving (20 min, 121° C.). Vitamins are dissolved in water and added to media before autoclaving. Hormones are dissolved in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). Antibiotics are dissolved in water and sterilized by filtration (0.22 μm). Hormones and antibiotics are added after autoclaving and cooling of the media to 65° C. In all cases 9-cm Petri dishes (Falcon, 3003) are used, except for GM and GM K50 which are usually poured into 15-cm Petri dishes (Falcon, 3025).

Plates with solid media are dried before usage in laminar flow to remove condensate.

Example 3 Arabidopsis Strain and Growth Conditions

Arabidopis thaliana seeds ecotype Columbia (Col-0wild type are purchased from Lehle Seeds, USA (1102 South Industrial Blvd. Suite D, Round Rock Tex. 78681, USA). Plants are grown at 22° C. 16/8 hour light/dark cycle in pots in the mixture of 4 parts sand, 4 parts garden soil and 1 part agrilit.

Example 4 Agrobacterium Strain and Culture

Vector plasmids are introduced into recipient Agrobacterium tumefaciens strain LBA4404 (Clontech) by triparental mating according to the protocol described by Walkerpeach and Velten (“Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer to plant cells: Cointegrate and binary vector systems”. in: Plant Molecular Biology Manual, B1: 1-19, 1994. Eds.: S. B. Gelvin, R. A., Schilperoort, Kluvers Acad. Publishers.). Mobilizing strain used is E. coli HB101 harboring conjugation plasmid pRK2013 (Ditta et al., 1980, Broad host range DNA cloning system from Gram-negative bacteria. Construction of gene bank of Rhizobium meliloti. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 77: 7347-7351). Agrobacteria used for root transformation are grown in LB medium (Sambrook et al., 1989, “Molecular Cloning”, Cold Spring Harbor, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory Press, NY) without antibiotics at 28° C. and 200 rpm.

Example 5 Seed Sterilization

Seeds are placed in 70% EtOH/0.05% Tween 20 for 1 minute in a 2 ml Eppendorf tube. 70% EtOH/0.05% Tween 20 is removed with a pipette and replaced with 5% NaOCl/0.05% Tween 20 for 15 minutes. Seeds are shaken regularly. The solution is removed in sterile conditions and the seeds are washed in sterile, distilled water 3 times for 10 minutes each. After the last wash seeds are keep in 0.5-1 ml water. Seeds can be used immediately or stored at 4° C. for two-three weeks. Sterilized seeds (20-30) are transferred with forceps on GM medium in 15-cm Petri dishes. Seedlings are grown in vertically placed plates in a growth chamber (22° C.; 16/8 hour light/dark cycle).

Example 6 Transformation of Root Explants of Arabidopsis thaliana

Roots of three-week-old seedlings are used in the transformation procedure. Roots should not be green or brown. Green parts of seedlings are removed with scalpel and forceps. Remaining roots are collected and approximately 5 entire root systems are placed per plate with solid CIM medium. Roots are pressed gently onto the surface of the plate to ensure full contact with the medium, but they should not be dipped into the agar. Roots are incubated for three days in a growth chamber (22° C.; 16/8 hour light/dark cycle). Roots are then transferred to a sterile Petri dish with filter paper wetted with liquid CIM medium and cut with a scalpel in 0.5-1 cm pieces. Root explants are then transferred to a 50 ml sterile Falcon tube containing 10 ml of liquid CIM medium. To this, 0.5 ml of an overnight Agrobacterium culture (OD 0.6-1) is added and incubate for 1-2 minutes while shaking gently. The liquid is poured out of the tube through sterile metal screens (50 mesh, Sigma, S-0895), which are kept with forceps. Roots usually remain on the wall of the tube close to its edge. Then the root explants are transferred to a sterile Petri dish with filter paper and briefly blotted dry to remove excess of liquid. Root explants are put onto plates with solid CIM medium and incubated in a growth chamber for 2 days under dim light (1.5-2 klux). Slight traces of overgrowth with Agrobacterium should be visible after the period of cocultivation. Root explants are then transferred to sterile 50 ml Falcon tubes with 20 ml of liquid CIM medium, supplemented with 1000 mg/l vancomycin. The Falcon tubes are then gently vortexed to remove the Agrobacteria. The liquid is poured out of the tube as described above and the explants are briefly blotted dry on filter paper. Explants are then transferred to plates containing SIM V750 K100 medium. Roots should be in a close contact with the medium. The explants are incubated in a growth chamber in normal conditions for one week and then transferred to SIM V500 K 100 medium and incubated for an additional week. Then the amount of vancomycin is reduced to 250 mg/l. First shoots should appear at the end of the third week of cultivation on SIM media. Shoots are excised when 0.3-0.5-cm long, any residual callus is removed, and the shoots are transferred to 15-cm plates containing GM K50 medium. Max. 3 shoots are placed per plate. To get more shoots, the remaining root explants can be transferred to fresh SIM plates supplemented with 125 mg/l vancomycin and 100 mg/l kanamycin for additional two weeks. Rooted shoots can be transferred to soil to allow seed set. Shoots that do not root are transferred to Magenta jars (one per jar) containing GM medium to produce seeds in vitro.

Seeds from individual transgenic plants are germinated on GM K50 medium in growth chamber for 2 weeks. Phenotypically normal kanamycin resistant seedlings, which form green true leaves and branched root system, are selected for further analyses.

Example 7 Histochemical β-glucuronidase (GUS) Assay

In vitro grown seedlings or plants grown in soil are used in GUS assays. Either whole seedlings or dissected organs are dipped into GUS staining solution. GUS staining solution contains 1 mM 5-bromo-4-chloro-3-indolyl glucuronide (X-Gluc, Duchefa, 20 mM stock in DMSO), 100 mM Na-phosphate buffer pH7.0, 10 mM EDTA pH 8.0, and 0.1% Triton X100. Tissue samples are incubated at 37° C. for 1-16 hours. If necessary samples can be cleared with several washes of 70% EtOH to remove chlorophyll.

Results of the histochemical GUS assay are shown in Table 1:

TABLE 1 Histochemical GUS assay in Arabidopsis plants transformed with construct atRSp41(2137)-GUS atRSp41(2137)-GUS leaf + veins + trichomes + hydathodes + stem (+) trichomes (+) opened + flowers sepal + petal − anther + filament + pollen + stigma + style + ovules ND flower buds + sepal + petal − anther − microspore − stigma + style + root + root meristem + elongation zone + specialization zone + lateral root primordium + 1-day-old + seedling cotyledons + hypocotyl + root + root meristem + 3-day-old + seedling cotyledons + shoot meristem + hypocotyl − root + root meristem + + tissue stained (+) tissue stained after wounding ND—not determined

Except for petals, anthers and microspores, GUS activity is found in all organs and tissues tested. These results indicate that atRSp41 promoter is a DNA sequence conferring constitutive expression to the GUS reporter gene.

Example 8 Fluorimetric GUS Assay

Fluorimetric GUS assay is done according to Jefferson et al., 1987 (EMBO J 6: 3901-3907). Tissue samples are frozen in liquid nitrogen and either stored at −80° C. until required or used immediately. Tissue sample (100 mg) is ground in (200 μl) extraction buffer. Debris is pelleted by centrifugation (14000 rpm, 15 min, 4° C.). Clear supernatant is assayed for total protein using the Bio-Rad kit according to the manufacturers' recommendations. An aliquot of supernatant containing 20 mg total protein is dissolved in an equal volume of extraction buffer. Prewarmed to 37° C. extraction buffer containing 2 mM 4-methyl-umbelliferyl-β-D-glucuronide (MUG) is added to a final volume of 200 μl. The mixture is vortexed briefly and incuabated 37° C. for a fixed time in the range of 10 to 30 minutes. The reaction is stopped by the addition of 0.8 ml 0.2 M Na₂CO₃. Fluorescence at 455 nm is measured using a Hitachi Fluorescence Spectrophotometer F-4500 at an excitation of 365 nm.

Measurement of GUS-activity in extracts of 10-day-old Arabidopsis seedlings transformed with atRSp41 (2137)-GUS, atRSp41 (1000)-GUS or, for comparison, 35S-CaMV-GUS shows that the atRSp41 promoter is a very active promoter, even if the shorter promoter, atRSp41 (1000) is used. The results are shown in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Fluorimetric GUS assay with extracts of Arabidopsis plants transformed with different promoter constructs GUS-activity (nmol 4-methylumbellifery glucuronide min⁻¹ mg protein⁻¹) atRSp41(2137)- atRSp41(1000)- Promoter CaMV 35S-GUS GUS GUS Experiment 1 1440 10680 5470 Experiment 2 1670 9320 8030 Experiment 3 3999 average 1555 8000 6750

The CaMV 35S-GUS construct is from plasmid pBl121 (Jefferson et al, 1987, EMBO J. 6, 3091-3907).

Example 9 Transient Expression Experiments

1. Suspension Cultures and Protoplast Preparation

Orychophragmus violates. Suspension cultures are maintained in 40 ml of MS medium (Murashige and Skoog, Physiol Plant 15, 474-497, 1962) including 100 mg/ml inositol, 2% sucrose, and 0.1 mg/ml 2,4 D. Protoplasts are isolated from 4- to 5-day-old-cultures. Cell walls are digested at 26° C. for 1 hr in 0.1% pectolyase Y23 (Seishin Pharmaceutical Co., Japan), 1% cellulase Onozuka R10 (Yakult Honsha Co., Japan), 0,4 M D-mannitol, and 0.1% MES, pH 5.5. Protoplasts are filtered through a 50 μm sieve and washed twice with electroporation (EP) solution (10 mM HEPES, 150 mM NaCl, 5 mM CaCl₂, 0.2 M mannitol, pH 7.1).

Nicotiana plumbaginifolia. Plants are maintained axenically on RPM2 medium (Blonstein et al. Mol Gen Genet 211, 252-259, 1988) plus 7 g/l bacto agar, pH 5.6. For protoplasts preparation, leaves are cut and incubated overnight at 26° C. in a solution of 0.5% driselase (Fluka), 0.25 mM PVP 10 (polyvinylpyrrolydon MW 10000), 3.85 mM CaCl₂, 6 mg/l NAA, 2 mg/l BAP, and 0.5 M sucrose, pH 5.7. Protoplasts are filtered through a 100 μm sieve. Sucrose solution (0.6 M sucrose, 0.1% MES, and 15 mM CaCl₂, pH 5.7) is added to the protoplast suspension for the first purification step, and the suspension is overlayed with W5 solution (150 mM NaCl, 125 mM CaCl₂, 5 mM KCl, 6 mM glucose; Menczel et al., Theor Appl Genet 59, 191-195, 1981). Protoplasts are then washed once with W5 solution and finally with EP solution.

2. Transient Expression Experiment

Transfection by electroporation of 2×10⁶ Orychophragmus violaceus protoplasts in 0.66 ml EP buffer is carried out by discharging a 960 μF capacitor through a distance of 4 mm of protoplast suspension. The capacitor is loaded at the 450 Volts. Electroporation is performed in the presence of 5-10 μg of plasmid DNA to be tested for reporter gene expression, then protoplasts are cultivated 16 to 24 hours at 25° C. Transfection of 2×10⁶ Nicotiana plumbaginifolia protoplasts in 0.3 ml suspension is carried out in the presence of 0.3 ml PEG (40% polyethyleneglycole 6000) and 5-10 μg of plasmid DNA. Protoplast are cultivated in 0.4 ml K3 medium (Godall et al., Methods Enzymol 181, 148-161, 1990) for 16 to 24 hours at 25° C. and added with 10 ml W5 buffer before harvesting.

Protein extracts are prepared by at least three cycles of freezing and thawing, and clarified by centrifugation. 

1. An isolated DNA sequence capable of driving expression of an associated nucleotide sequence, wherein said DNA sequence is an atRSp41 promoter selected from the group consisting of the sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1, SEQ ID NO: 2, SEQ ID NO: 3, SEQ ID NO: 4, and SEQ ID NO:
 5. 2. The isolated DNA sequence according to claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence is SEQ ID NO:1.
 3. The isolated DNA sequence according to claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence is SEQ ID NO:2.
 4. The isolated DNA sequence according to claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence is SEQ ID NO:3.
 5. The isolated DNA sequence according to claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence is SEQ ID NO:4.
 6. A recombinant DNA molecule comprising the DNA sequence according to claim 1 operably linked to a nucleotide sequence of interest.
 7. The recombinant DNA molecule of claim 6, wherein the nucleotide sequence of interest comprises a coding sequence.
 8. The recombinant DNA molecule of claim 7, wherein the coding sequence encodes a desirable phenotypic trait.
 9. The recombinant DNA molecule of claim 7, wherein the coding sequence is in antisense orientation.
 10. A DNA expression vector comprising the DNA sequence according to claim
 1. 11. The isolated DNA sequence according to claim 1, wherein said nucleotide sequence is SEQ ID NO:5.
 12. A DNA expression vector comprising the recombinant DNA molecule according to claim
 6. 13. An isolated DNA sequence capable of driving expression of an associated nucleotide sequence, wherein said DNA sequence consists of nucleotides 1-271 of SEQ ID NO:
 4. 